BAGUIO CITY – The National Nutrition Council Regional Office I conducted a back-to-back Training on Nutrition in Emergencies (NiEm) for Local Nutrition Clusters and Training on the Basic Course for Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNSs) held on August 8-11, 2017 at Hotel Veniz, Baguio City. This was attended by around 50 participants regionwide for the two trainings.

Nutrition in Emergencies (NiEm) training for Local Nutrition Clusters targeted the municipalities of Ilocos Sur and Pangasinan - areas prone to emergencies, calamities and disasters in the region. The training aims to capacitate the participants on the nutrition intervention package during emergencies and formulation of Nutrition in Emergencies Preparedness, Response and Recovery Plan. Also, it aims to enjoin the participants to organize or reorganize their Local Nutrition Clusters in their respective municipalities in compliance to the Regional Development Council (RDC) Resolution No. 60 s. 2014 “Enjoining LGUs to organize their Local Nutrition Clusters”.

On the other hand, DOH Regional Office I provided funds for the training on the Basic Course of BNSs to refresh the officers of Regional, Provincial, City and Municipal BNS Federations and capacitate the newly designated Local Nutrition Action Officers in providing efficient and effective basic health and nutrition services to improve the nutrition situation in their respective areas. The training focused on the BNS program, roles and functions, community nutrition assessment and how-to-fill-up various BNS forms.

The technical staff of NNC-ROI headed by Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator Ma. Eileen B. Blanco facilitated the trainings together with regional and local trainers, namely: Mr. Renzie Ivan Costales of Office of Civil Defense (OCD) ROI, Ms. Jeanette Padilla of Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer – La Union, and Ms. Ana Mariel Lopez of City Nutrition Office – Dagupan City for NiEm Training while for BNSs Basic Course Training, the invited trainers were: Ms. Rosalina Estillore, DNPC of La Union, Mr. Darwin Tumbaga, BNS President of Ilocos Norte and Ms. Jo Ann Alvez, BNS President of Baguio City.

Targeted LGUs were able to craft their local Nutrition in Emergencies Plan to be finalized in their respective areas as part of the re/organization and strengthening of their local nutrition clusters. Likewise, the BNSs and NAOs were updated on formulating Barangay Nutrition Action Plan (BNAP) and Barangay Nutrition Scholar Action Plan (BNSAP).

It is expected that nutrition clusters at all levels will ensure the protection and prevents worsening of the nutritional status of affected individuals especially vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant, lactating and elderly during emergencies and disasters including the protection and promotion of breastfeeding and appropriate complementary in evacuation centers.

Also, it is hoped that every barangay will organize/reorganize their Barangay Nutrition Committees and BNSs as prime movers to continue fighting malnutrition through efficient and timely delivery of basic health and nutrition services with dedication, passion, and hard work.  (MGSC)